By Joginder Tuteja
If you can act like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, have a believable approach towards acting and can look much younger, look no further. There is an opportunity waiting for you, and that too opposite none other than Amitabh Bachchan. The film in question is ‘102 Not Out’ which is set to go on floors later this year. While director Umesh Shukla has already brought Big B and Paresh Rawal on board, the hunt is on for a youngster who, in director’s own words, is a ‘younger version of Nawazuddin Siddiqui’.
“The film, which is based on a Gujarati play by the same name, tells the story of a 102 year old man (to be played by Amitabh Bachchan), who wants to break the record of being the oldest person in the world. He is supported by his 75 year old son (to be played by Paresh Rawal). Other than these two men, a young actor also plays a very integral part of the film. Since Big B and Pareshji are such powerful performers, there is no way that any random actor can fit into the scheme of things. He needs to be really reliable, and someone who can manage his own standing in front of them,” informs our source.
While the immediate reference point was Nawazuddin Siddiqui, he couldn’t really be given a serious contention since he is 41 year old. However, the references being spread in the town are by keeping his acting talent and personality in mind.
“Yes, we are looking at someone like him, but younger,” says Shukla, “Of course there is no dearth of 20-21 year olds who want to be actors. However, many of them come with the same kind of personality. I am not looking at someone muscular or beefy who has just stepped out of a gym. Instead, he has to be someone next door, someone believable, and yet a great performer.”
As for Amitabh Bachchan himself, while he is on board, he is yet to see the original play 102 Not Out.
“Well, Bachchan saab hasn’t seen the play and doesn’t want to see it either. He doesn’t want to come into a mode that has already been seen. Instead, he wants to explore something new himself,” he says.
Meanwhile, the hunt is on for the third actor.
| Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder |
